This is 'BATTLE OF THE BANDS' ('BOTB') where you listen to different recordings of the same song and vote for the one you like best. A new Battle gets posted on the 1st and 15th of each month and six days later, on the 7th and 21st, I place my own vote, tally 'em all up and announce the winner.

.

Friend? Foe? Stranger? No matter, ALL are welcome. So pull up a chair, pour yourself 24 oz. of DOG BITE High Gravity Lager (or the poison of your choice) and turn it up to Eleven!

.

[NOTE: Links to the first year of 'BOTB' (#1 - #24) can be found at the very bottom of this page.]

Monday, May 25, 2015

.'TRUTH AND SHADOWS' is a blog I've been following for a couple years now. They do some damned good, in-depth analysis of controversial events such as 9/11, the Boston Marathon Bombing, and the Sandy Hook school "shooting".

Back when I posted my 2-part series 'TheyCanPutAManOnTheMoonButTheyCan't...PutAManOnTheMoon' (probably my best blog bit title ever), I mentioned and linked to Dave McGowan's great (and sarcastically funny!) article 'WAGGING THE MOONDOGGIE'. Unfortunately, barring a miracle, Mr. McGowan likely won't be with us much longer. He will be missed by many.

In honor of his research and sarcastic sense o' humor, I wanted to post a little sumpin' here at my new blog about N.A.S.A. ("Never A Straight Answer") and the "Moon Walks".

But first... a song:

The fluidity of Buck Dharma's guitar playing on the track, 'Moon Crazy', is almost Danny Gatton-esque and it's a good example of why I've often referred to him as "the most underrated guitarist of the Classic Rock era". Buck Dharma didn't just play the guitar, he painted with it! You could call his work "Soundscapes".

The 'Truth And Shadows' blog bit (see link in second paragraph) quoted from McGowan's 'Wagging The Moondoggie' article and I am going to paste some of that below in red.

Although Uncle Sam (or "Uncle Scam" as I like to call it) engaged in earlier and more disastrous scams prior to the fake Moon landings and Moon walks, I tend to think of the Moon bullcrap as the "granddaddy" of U.S. Government hoaxes.

The 1913 Federal Reserve Act scam was the biggest and most universally detrimental "crime" of Uncle Scam. We, as a nation, will literally NEVER recover from that one.

But I think the one that scares people the most (and even made some of my longtime readers nervous when I addressed it at 'F-FFF') is the fake Apollo Moon landing program. Why? Because once a person researches THAT and becomes suspicious (less than one hour's worth of time needed), then follows up with a little more detailed OBJECTIVE study and concludes that we never really put any men on the Moon and returned them to Earth (about an additional one or two hours of time necessary) and that the U.S. Government lied about it then and continues to lie about it today, that person will then come to the frightening realization that there is nuttin' Uncle Scam wouldn't do and lie about if it served his purposes.

The more astute and spiritually-minded objective researchers will also be ultimately led to the fact that the U.S. Government is in bed with, and doing the work of, "the father of lies". (Google it if you're not familiar with the term.)

I think we need another song here to lighten the mood:

OK, this next song is from 1977's criminally forgotten 'Night After
Night' - one of my favorite live albums.

There was much about the Apollo flights that was truly miraculous, but
arguably the greatest technological achievement was the design of the
lunar modules. Has anyone, by the way, ever really taken a good look at
one of those contraptions? I mean a detailed, up-close look? I’m
guessing that the vast majority of people have not, but luckily we can
quickly remedy that situation because I happen to have some really good,
high-resolution images that come directly from the good people at NASA.

While what is depicted in the images may initially appear, to the
untrained eye, to be some kind of mock-up that someone cobbled together
in their backyard to make fun of NASA, I can assure you that it is
actually an extremely high-tech manned spacecraft capable of landing on
the surface of the Moon. And incredibly enough, it was also capable of
blasting off from the Moon and flying 69 miles back up into lunar orbit!
Though not immediately apparent, it is actually a two-stage craft, the
lower half (the part that looks like a tubular aluminum framework
covered with Mylar and old Christmas wrapping paper) being
the descent stage, and the upper half (the part that looks as though it
was cobbled together from old air conditioning ductwork and is primarily
held together, as can be seen in the close-up, with zippers and gold
tape) being the ascent stage.

The upper half, of course, is the more sophisticated portion, being
capable of lifting off and flying with enough power to break free of the
Moon’s gravity and reach lunar orbit. It also, of course, possessed
sophisticated enough navigational capabilities for it to locate,
literally out in the middle of fucking nowhere, the command module that
it had to dock with in order to get the astronauts safely back to Earth.
It also had to catch that command module, which was orbiting the Moon
at a leisurely 4,000 miles per hour.

But we’ll get to all that a little later. I think we can all agree for
now that such a sleek, stylish, well-designed craft would have no
problem flying with that kind of power, precision and stability.”

Yes,
it’s time once again for ‘Battle Of The Bands’
(‘BOTB’), and...It's me, it's me,It's Stephen T.The Captain NinjaOf BOTB!(At least that's what FarAwayEyes called me.)

.Before I pull the lever and let this BOTB installment dangle, I have a li'l sumpin' to say:

We have three new 'Battle Of The Bands' participants joining us beginning with this May 15th round. I'm pleased to introduce, present and announceDEBBIE D. from the blog 'THE DOGLADY'S DEN',CHERDOfrom the blog'CHERDO ON THE FLIPSIDE', and MICHELE TRUHLIK from the blog 'ANGELS BARK'. Please be sure to visit themand make them feel welcome. (And ifany of them ever uses a Tiny Tim song, make certain you report that to me ASAP so I can take immediate action against them;-)

Alright,
let’s get on it...

.

EUGENE MARTONE VS. JACK BUTLER

.And now for something completely different, as promised (or threatened). Some of you will remember when I BOTBed Tiny Tim versus Richard Cheese in a "Lounge showdown". They were doing different songs ('Stairway To Heaven' and 'Another Brick In The Wall'), so instead of the SONG being the common denominator, it was actually the "Lounge" style that provided the theme of that contest.

This time, just for the halibut ("No anchovies, please!"), I'm again using two different songs, rather than the traditional "same song, two different artists" approach. There IS a method to my madness, although it won't be readily apparent. It's not like I've just randomly chosen two songs and put them up against each other. No, sir, there's a "theme" here - there's a reason I've selected these two particular songs and artists, and I will explain the hidden meaning behind it when I post myownvote and thefinalresults in this blog bit's comment section on May21st. (If anyone already knows WHY I'm using these two songs against each other, you may say you know the secret, but please don't let the cat out of the bag. Please let me do that on the 21st. Thanks!)

The idea for this BOTB match-up came to mind about 2 or 3 days after I moved to Reno. I'll 'splain that when I cast my vote and announce the winner.

After this 'Battle Of The Bands' installment, I will be going back to the regular margaritas BOTB format. (I only have one more non-traditional BOTB contest in mind, and if I do it at all, it won't be for awhile.)

GOODNIKS VS. NO-GOODNIKS

OK, your job in this BOTB blog bit is simply to listen to the two songs below and vote in the comment section for which song you like best (forwhateverreason). Please tell me, if you can, why you prefer the one song over the other.

"And now here's something we hope you'll really like"...

'ONE-TRICK PONY' by Paul Simon

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SN3GXj4r_1s

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GODZILLA VS. KING KONG

.'ROCK LOBSTER' by The B-52s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VCCiY17hKw

.

RIDDLER VS. BATMAN

.

Alright
now, “you know the gig”... I welcome EVERYONE
to vote for their favorite of these songs in the comment section
below. And feel free to tell us WHY
you chose one song over the other.

After
voting here, I
suggest - actually I insist - you pop over to the blogs of the other
'BATTLE OF THE BANDS' participants to see which songs they have
chosen and vote there also.
(If their ‘BOTB’ blog bits aren’t posted yet, pour yourself two
shots of ‘Grand Marnier’ over ice – do it twice
– and then return to their blogs to vice
your voice
...vote
your vice
...voice your vote.)

This Introduction is essentially a statement of where I think I probably am, musically, today. In my future 'The Soundtrack Of My Life' (TSOML) blog bits, I will show you how I got to this point by starting at the beginning and working my way back to here.

I have been a lifelong Beach Boys fan. Brian Wilson and Company created some of the most beautiful songs (and THEBEST harmonies) I've ever heard. Unfortunately, most people only think of their Sand, Surf & Sun (and car) songs when the Beach Boys get mentioned, but they were far more musically and lyrically complex than just that!

If there is one person that I have to select as a living genius of pop music, I would choose Brian Wilson.

~ George Martin, The Beatles' Producer

But let me tell ya something: Brian's brother, Carl, was no slouch either! In fact, he was primarily responsible for one my very favorite B.B. songs, 'LONGPROMISEDROAD'.

I'll guess that it was 2004 when I purchased the album 'THEBEACHBOYS: BestOfTheBrotherYears - 1970-1986'. The disc contained a number of songs I'd not heard previously. (Incidentally, the album comes with my highest recommendation. You get the deep 'Til I Die', and 'Surf's Up'; the complexity of 'The Trader'; the loveliness of 'Add Some Music To Your Day'; the gorgeous 'Disney Girls', and 'Good Timing'; and the catchy as all get-out 'Sail On, Sailor' and 'California Dreaming'. And, of course, you get the powerful... 'LongPromisedRoad'.)

I had put the album on "Repeat" and just let it play through over and over while I was doing some writing. 'Long Promised Road' didn't immediately leap out at me because it was surrounded by a number of other unfamiliar songs. But after several playings, the meaning and the power of it just came crashing into my consciousness, and I realized this is one of those songs that should be played with your volume cranked "up to eleven".

I also realized that 'Long Promised Road' was a personal anthem. Today, it is unquestionably one of my all-time favorite Beach Boys songs, and it speaks to me where I live. I have a few anthems because, let's face it, I have a few not-so-subtle facets to my personality. 'Long Promised Road' does an exceptional job of lyrically and musically illustrating that "serious" side of my nature - STMcC the "philosopher" (so to speak), but simultaneously STMcC the "fighter".

Despite all the "Jocularity! Jocularity!", THIS is principally where I "am" today, and when it reaches the climax of blaring horn and ripping guitar, I'm pretty much outta-my-seat and cheering!

So hard to answer future's riddle
When ahead is seeming so far behind
So hard to laugh a child-like giggle
When the tears start to torture my mind
So hard to shed the life of before
To let my soul automatically soarBut I hit hard at the battle that's confronting me, yeah
Knock down all the roadblocks a-stumbling me
Throw off all the shackles that are binding me downSew up the wounds of revolution
And the Now starts to get in my way
So what if life's a revelation
If the mind speaks of only today?
So real, the pain of growing in my soul
Of climbing up to reality's goalBut I hit hard at the battle that's confronting me, yeah
Knock down all the roadblocks a-stumbling me
Throw off all the shackles that are binding me downLong promised road
Trail starts at dawn
Carries on to the season's ending
Long promised road
Flows to the Source, gentle Force, never ending, never endingSo hard to lift the jeweled scepterWhen the weight turns a smile to a frown
So hard to drink of passion nectar
When the taste of life's holding me down
So hard to plant the seed of reform
To set my sights on defeating the stormSo I hit hard at the battle that's confronting me, yeah
Knock down all the roadblocks a-stumbling me
Throw off all the shackles that are binding me downOh, yeah...Hit hard at the battle that's confronting me, yeah
Knock down all the roadblocks a-stumbling me
Throw off all the shackles that are binding me downWhoa yeah...Hit hard at the battle that's confronting me, yeah
Knock down all the roadblocks a-stumbling me
Throw off all the shackles that are binding me downI'd love to see you
I'd love to see you
I'd love to see you
I'd love to see you
I'd love to see you

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBTTnIsO8ws

Alright, in my next TSOML blog bit, I'll go back to my musical beginnings and 'splain how we got HERE.

Tuesday, May 5, 2015

.
In my time, I have made a couple BIG BONEHEAD decisions. Those essentially ruined my life. And since there isn't even the slightest patina of humor there, we won't go there.

I have also made a number of small bonehead moves, and since this is 'The Bonehead Blog Hop', I have decided to tell the story of how I once dated my sister, 'Bonehead'.

First, I suppose I should tell you how she got that nickname.

My sister's real name is Sherrie, and it's pronounced the way Stevie Wonder sings the name in this song...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0Gu-CyE-NQ

Go ahead and click 'Play' - it'll give you some nice music to listen to while I tell "the rest of the story".

When we were all very young, my Ma used to call my sister Sherrie Bonet ("Bo-nay"), playing off the French sound of her first name. Well, being young bratty boys, my brother and I began calling her "Bonehead". That was in the mid-1960s and... we're STILL calling her "Bonehead" today.

Now, on to the story of how I once dated Bonehead...

When it came to dating, I was not one to risk facing a whole lot of rejection, so I rarely asked
a woman out until I was already fairly confident that she was going to
say “Yes.”

I recall the night I dated Janna. This was probably in 1982. Janna was one of the few
girls who possessed enough courage to hang out with the boys and me ('The
League Of Soul Crusaders') from time to time. Gradually, I got to
thinking that Janna was nice looking and not too talkative and that she
might agree to go out with me, so I asked her. She said yes.

Human
intellect cannot estimate what we owe to woman. She gives us good
advice, and plenty of it. She soothes our aching brows, she bears our
children – ours as a general thing. … What, sir, would the people of the
earth be without woman? They would be scarce, sir, almighty scarce.~ Mark Twain

I
took Janna to dinner one night, and everything was going well. I was pretty much having to carry the bulk of the conversation, but then I had expected that, so it was OK.

She was sitting there across
from me in the restaurant, and the waiter had just barely introduced our plates to the table when... it suddenly came crashing into my mind that – DOH! – Janna looked just like my sister, Bonehead!

I kid you not, the
whole night I couldn’t get it out of my mind that I was dating my
sister. Well, I say “the whole night” like this was an A-list date that lasted all night, but
the truth is, the moment I realized how much Janna looked like Bonehead,
I couldn’t wait for the date to end. I ate quickly and I drove her straight home, said goodnight, and then found where the boys were drinking and I started playing 'Catch-up'. All I wanted to do was scrub that memory out of my mind with some 80-proof cleanser.

I never asked the po’ girl out again and she never knew the reason why.

You
think I was being unreasonable, don’tcha? You think I was exaggerating, making a mountain out of a molehill, right? Oh yeah? Well, take a look
for yourself! Here’s a photo of Janna. She’s on the right in the
colorful pastel blouse:.

.
And now here’s a picture of me with my sister, Bonehead, in the back of my old Chevy Luv truck:.

.[Bonehead in my truck. Just my luck!]

Hey, who’s the wiseguy who wrote “Uhp! Your[sic]an idiot!” across the side of my truck? ...Well, if the slur fits, wear it.

.Before I go any further, I want to say I'm pleased to announce that we have a new 'BOTB' participant. So, here goes....I'm pleased to announce that we have a new 'BOTB' participant..This nice gentleman is named Shady Del Knight and he's the administrator of the blog 'Shady Dell Music & Memories'. So, please be sure to visit his 'Battle Of The Bands' installment and vote there prior to May 7th. Thanks!.

Alright,
let’s get on it...

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EUGENE MARTONE VS. JACK BUTLER

.In my previous 'BOTB' blog bit, I used a very famous song that has been recorded by every singer and their two-legged uncle. One recording of it even won 'Record Of The Year' at the 1966 Grammy Awards.

This time, I'm going in the opposite direction. I'm using a song that was never a hit for anyone, and it may be unfamiliar to many of you voters. The song is titled 'LONGHARDCLIMB'. It was written by Ron Davies and released on his second album 'U.F.O.'. Let's hear the original...

'LONG HARD CLIMB' by Ron Davies

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_d5AF7i1tM.

GODZILLA VS. KING KONG

.
In 1973, Maria Muldaur released a cover version on her eponymous debut album.

'LONG HARD CLIMB' by Maria Muldaur

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYTsA0h4Tqw

.

RIDDLER VS. BATMAN

.

Alright
now, “you know the gig”... I welcome EVERYONE
to vote for their favorite of these songs in the comment section
below. And feel free to tell us WHY
you chose one song over the other..After
voting here, I
suggest - actually I insist - you pop over to the blogs of the other
'BATTLE OF THE BANDS' participants to see which songs they have
chosen and vote there also.
(If their ‘BOTB’ blog bits aren’t posted yet, pour yourself two
shots of ‘Grand Marnier’ over ice – do it twice
– and then return to their blogs to vice
your voice
...vote
your vice
...voice your vote.).Voice
Your Vote
@ ‘FARAWAYSERIES’
by clicking HERE.@
‘TOSSINGITOUT’
by clicking HERE.@
‘YOURDAILYDOSE’
by clicking HERE.@
'BOOKLOVER'
by clicking HERE.@
'MIKE'SRAMBLINGS'
by clicking HERE.@
'CURIOUSASACATHY'
by clicking HERE.@
'THESOUNDOFONEHANDTYPING'
by clicking HERE.@ 'DCRELIEF - BATTLEOFTHEBANDS' by clicking HERE.@ 'THISBELLEROCKS' by clicking HERE. @ 'SHADYDELLMUSIC&MEMORIES' by clicking HERE. @ 'ALEXCAVANAUGH' (when BOTB falls on a Mon., Wed., or Fri.) by clicking HERE. .As
I've done in the past, I will continue to return to my 'BOTB' blog
bits on the 7th and 21st of each month to post my own votes and
announce the winners in the comment sections..~
Stephen T. McCarthy.

Liberty

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About Me

STEPHEN = The first person known to have been martyred because of their personal testimony of Jesus Christ (Acts 6-7). My foremost allegiance is to my Holy King, Jesus, who has been given all authority in Heaven and on Earth, and to His God who bestowed it upon Him (Matt. 28:18; John 20:17). ----- T. = Thoreau, as in Henry David Thoreau, the writer and staunch abolitionist who, in 1849, penned the classic essay 'Civil Disobedience' wherein he wrote: "I cannot for an instant recognize that political organization as my government which is the slave's government also." I abhor slavery and injustice in all of their forms! ----- McCARTHY = The Wisconsin Senator, Joseph McCarthy, one of America's greatest heroes, and the most unjustly vilified individual in our country's history! His unappreciated, rebuffed efforts to expose Communist infiltration of our government transformed this embattled man's name into a pejorative catchword: McCarthyism. If you still believe that Joseph McCarthy was the most evil American of the Twentieth Century, educate yourself today. Go to... http://www.knology.net/~bilrum/mccarthy.htm ...and see how you've been misled.